A mysterious "sonic rumble" that shook Shijingshan district Tuesday afternoon has left residents, experts and local government baffled, with some Web users saying they thought the noise heralded the apocalypse.
The loud droning noise, lasting around five minutes, did not cause any injuries, although homes and residents were shaken by the vibrations. So far, the source of the noise has not been uncovered, but the local government has launched an investigation.
Shen Jie, 34, who works in tourism, said he was at home in Liuheyuan, Shijingshan district when he heard it.
"It was around 3 pm, and I suddenly heard a tremendous noise. The balcony door, which opens to the south, started vibrating. Even I couldn't stop shaking," he said.
Shen said he had thought the noise was fireworks at first.
"I listened, and found the sound came from the [direction of the] southwest side of Yamenkou Bridge on the West Fifth Ring Road," he said.
"It sounded like an enormous rock rolling toward my apartment, which you can only expect in movies," he said.
A 22-year-old student, surnamed Li, who lives in Linlang Zhuangyuan, Liuniang Fulu, said she thought the noise was like a jet taking off.
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